option(1T) Tk Built-In Commands option(1T)
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NAME
option - Add/retrieve window options to/from the option database
SYNOPSIS
option add pattern value ?priority?
option clear
option get window name class
option readfile fileName ?priority?
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DESCRIPTION
The option command allows you to add entries to the Tk option database or to retrieve options from the database. The add form of the com-
mand adds a new option to the database. Pattern contains the option being specified, and consists of names and/or classes separated by
asterisks or dots, in the usual X format. Value contains a text string to associate with pattern; this is the value that will be returned
in calls to Tk_GetOption or by invocations of the option get command. If priority is specified, it indicates the priority level for this
option (see below for legal values); it defaults to interactive. This command always returns an empty string.
The option clear command clears the option database. Default options (from the RESOURCE_MANAGER property or the .Xdefaults file) will be
reloaded automatically the next time an option is added to the database or removed from it. This command always returns an empty string.
The option get command returns the value of the option specified for window under name and class. If several entries in the option data-
base match window, name, and class, then the command returns whichever was created with highest priority level. If there are several
matching entries at the same priority level, then it returns whichever entry was most recently entered into the option database. If there
are no matching entries, then the empty string is returned.
The readfile form of the command reads fileName, which should have the standard format for an X resource database such as .Xdefaults, and
adds all the options specified in that file to the option database. If priority is specified, it indicates the priority level at which to
enter the options; priority defaults to interactive.
The priority arguments to the option command are normally specified symbolically using one of the following values:
widgetDefault
Level 20. Used for default values hard-coded into widgets.
startupFile
Level 40. Used for options specified in application-specific startup files.
userDefault
Level 60. Used for options specified in user-specific defaults files, such as .Xdefaults, resource databases loaded into the X
server, or user-specific startup files.
interactive
Level 80. Used for options specified interactively after the application starts running. If priority isn't specified, it defaults
to this level.
Any of the above keywords may be abbreviated. In addition, priorities may be specified numerically using integers between 0 and 100,
inclusive. The numeric form is probably a bad idea except for new priority levels other than the ones given above.
EXAMPLES
Instruct every button in the application to have red text on it unless explicitly overridden:
option add *button.foreground red startupFile
Allow users to control what happens in an entry widget when the Return key is pressed by specifying a script in the option database and add
a default option for that which rings the bell:
entry .e
bind .e <Return> [option get .e returnCommand Command]
option add *.e.returnCommand bell widgetDefault
KEYWORDS
database, option, priority, retrieve
ATTRIBUTES
See attributes(5) for descriptions of the following attributes:
+--------------------+-----------------+
| ATTRIBUTE TYPE | ATTRIBUTE VALUE |
+--------------------+-----------------+
|Availability | SUNWTk |
+--------------------+-----------------+
|Interface Stability | Uncommitted |
+--------------------+-----------------+
NOTES
Source for Tk is available on http://opensolaris.org.
Tk option(1T)